SCADA: System Design &

Implementation.
. Vol. 1
Bill Manyatta, BEEE. 2024

Compiled & reviewed by: Bill Manyatta, BEEE. (2024©)

CONTENTS
1. OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 DEFINITIONS & APPLICATION ........................................................................................... 2
1.2 COMPONENTS OF SCADA SYSTEM:................................................................................... 3
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF SCADA.......................................................................................................... 4
1.4 FUNCTIONS OF SCADA SYSTEMS....................................................................................... 4
1.5 SCADA SOFTWARE ................................................................................................................. 5
2. IMPLEMENTATION OF SCADA SYSTEMS............................................................................... 6
I. IDENTIFY YOUR REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................... 6
II. CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMPONENTS ............................................................................... 6
III. DESIGN THE SYSTEM ............................................................................................................ 6
IV. INSTALL THE SYSTEM: .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
V. TEST THE SYSTEM: ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
VI. DEPLOY THE SYSTEM ........................................................................................................... 6
VII. TRAIN THE OPERATORS ...................................................................................................... 6
[Link] AND UPDATE THE SYSTEM ......................................................................... 7
3. SCADA SYSTEM DESIGN. ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

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1. OVERVIEW
1.1 DEFINITIONS & APPLICATION
SCADA Definition: SCADA is defined as Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition, a system used for high-level process control and data
management.
SCADA systems monitor real-time data, control processes, and store
information for analysis and decision-making.

Applications: SCADA systems are used across various industries for

automation and control, including oil and gas, manufacturing, and water
treatment.
SCADA in power systems helps manage current flow, voltage levels, and
circuit breakers to maintain the power grid.
1.2 TYPES OF SCADA SYSTEMS
There are different types of SCADA systems that can be considered as SCADA
architectures of four different generations:

i. First Generation: Monolithic or Early SCADA systems:

Minicomputers are used earlier for computing the SCADA systems.
independent systems without having any connectivity to other
systems.
ii. Second Generation: Distributed SCADA systems: In the second
generation, the sharing of control functions is distributed across the
multiple systems connected to each other using Local Area Network
(LAN).
iii. Third Generation: Networked SCADA systems: The current SCADA
systems are generally networked and communicate using Wide Area
Network (WAN) Systems over data lines or phone. These systems use
Ethernet or Fiber Optic Connections for transmitting data between
the nodes frequently. These third generation SCADA systems use
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) for monitoring and adjusting
the routine flagging operators only in case of major decisions
requirement.
iv. Fourth Generation: Internet of things technology, SCADA systems: In
fourth generation, the infrastructure cost of the SCADA systems is
reduced by adopting the internet of things technology with the
commercially available cloud computing. The maintenance and
integration is also very easy for the fourth generation compared to
the earlier SCADA systems. These SCADA systems are able to report

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 state in real time by using the horizontal scale from the cloud
computing facility;

1.3 COMPONENTS OF SCADA SYSTEM: A SCADA system includes:

• Master Terminal Units (MTUs): MTU is the core of the SCADA system.
It comprises a computer, a PLC, and a network server that helps the
MTU communicate with the RTUs. MTU begins communication,
collects and saves data, helps to interface with operators, and
communicates data to other systems.
• Remote Terminal Units (RTUs): Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) is
connected with sensors and actuators. RTU is used to collect
information from these sensors and further send the data to MTU. RTUs
have a storage capacity facility.

It stores the data and transmits it when the MTU commands. Modern
RTUs use PLCs for direct data transfer and control, often without
signals from the MTU.

• Communication networks for data transfer: It is defined as a link

between an RTU in the field and an MTU in the central location. The
bidirectional wired or wireless communication channel is used for
networking purposes. Various other communication mediums, like
fibre optic twisted pair cables, etc., are also used.

Fig. 1.0: SCADA System.

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 Fig. 2.0: SCADA Architecture.

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF SCADA

1. Monitor: SCADA systems continuously monitor the physical
parameters
2. Measure: It measures the parameter for processing
3. Data Acquisition: It acquires data from RTUs (Remote Terminal
Units), data loggers, etc
4. Data Communication: It helps to communicate and transmit a large
amount of data between MTU and RTU units
5. Controlling: Online real-time monitoring and control of the process
6. Automation: It helps for automatic transmission and functionality

1.5 FUNCTIONS OF SCADA SYSTEMS

SCADA system is a collection of hardware and software components that
allows the manufacturing units to perform specific functions. Some of the
important functions include;

• To monitor and gather data in real-time

• To interact with field devices and control stations via Human Machine
Interface (HMI),

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 • To record systems events into a log file
• To control the manufacturing processes virtually
• Information Storage and Reports

1.6 SCADA SOFTWARE

SCADA software plays a significant role in the whole process analysis.

Some of the top SCADA Software vendors include,

• Vijeo Citect SCADA, Schneider Electric

• SIMATIC WinCC V7 – Siemens
• Ability™ Symphony® Plus--ABB
• InTouch – Wonderware
• iFIX – General Electric
• Experion SCADA – Honeywell

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2. IMPLEMENTATION OF SCADA SYSTEMS
Implementing a SCADA system is a significant undertaking that requires
careful planning and execution. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to
effectively set up a SCADA system:

1. Identify Your Requirements: The first step in implementing a SCADA

system is to define your specific needs. What processes do you want to
monitor and control? What kind of data do you need to collect, and how
should it be processed and displayed? These are all crucial questions to
answer before moving forward. Detailed requirement specifications
ensure that the system meets your unique needs and objectives.
2. Choose the Right Components: Once you've outlined your requirements,
the next step is to select the right components for your SCADA system.
This includes field devices, RTUs, PLCs, a central computer system, an
HMI, and SCADA software. Your choice of components should be
influenced by factors such as your specific use case, budget, and the scale
of your operations.
3. Design the System: With the components in place, you can now design
your SCADA system. This involves deciding how the components will
interact with each other, the communication protocols they will use, and
how data will flow within the system. This step also involves designing
the HMI, ensuring it's user-friendly and provides operators with the
information they need to monitor and control the system effectively.

4. Installing the device: This involves setting up the field devices, RTUs and
PLCs at the facility, connecting them to the central computerized system
through a communication network. Installation of SCADA software and
HMI on the central computer is done at this stage.
5. Test the System: It involves data is accurately collected from the field
devices, properly processed by the SCADA software and correctly
displayed on the HMI. The system control capabilities are tested,
ensuring they respond as they should to all the operational scenarios.
Any arising issue should be resolved before system deployment.

6. Deploy the System: This marks the beginning of its operational phase,
where it will start to monitor and control the industrial process.
7. Train the Operators: the operators have to be properly trained in order
to understand how to use the HMI, read & interpret the data provided
by the system and respond to various operational scenarios. This ensures
effective system management and response to any issues that may arise.

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8. Maintain and Update the System: Once the SCADA system is
operational, regular maintenance and software patching and updates
has to be done. Maintenance tasks include repair and/or replacement,
calibration of field devices, RTUs, PLCs et al.

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Compiled & reviewed by:
Bill Manyatta, BEEE.
Electrical & Automation Engineer.

Citation: ABB & others.

Photos Copyright: Owners